Potential Goodwill Slotted for Winn Dixie Property

A new Goodwill may be coming to Athens' Eastside, according to the

Senior Planner Bruce Lonnee said the Planning Department has been approached by Goodwill representatives for a demolition permit at the old Winn Dixie at 4066 Lexington Road.

The demolition permit will allow developers to restructure the roof and inside of the building. The new Goodwill would be similar to the , and would include a Job Center.

"As I understand it, that is an expansion of what they do on the Westside of town," Lonnee said. "[Goodwill] didn't indicate to us whether they are planning on closing the Westside store, so they may be planning on two locations in town."

Lonnee said Goodwill representatives appeared eager when they approached the Planning Department. 

"They wanted to get to work sooner rather than later, so my guess would be that we'll see something late summer or early fall," he said. "When someone is very sincere about getting a job done, they go ahead and get the demolition permit working while they get the plans reviewed for whatever the end goal would be."

Though Goodwill representatives are in the process of applying for a demolition permit, Lonnee said he is unsure when plans for the building will be finalized. Athens Patch is awaiting further details on the development from Goodwill's corporate headquarters.

"That's really up to them and how fast their development team wants to work," he said. "Reviewing the plans only takes nine days. In theory, they could have a permit in a matter of a couple of weeks."

What do you think? Is Goodwill a good fit for the old Winn Dixie building on Lexington Road?